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 Louise George Kittaka

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Louise George Kittaka
Originally from New Zealand, Louise George Kittaka is a bilingual writer based in Tokyo. She contributes to a wide range of news and information media, as well as Japan’s educational publishing sector. When she isn’t at her computer, Louise loves exploring waterfalls, going to cake buffets and collecting anything related to the Aliens movie franchise.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Sep 23, 2013
The PTA: a survival guide for foreign parents
PTA — the mere mention of the three initials is enough to elicit a scowl from many a Japanese mother. So how do foreign women cope in such an environment?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Sep 9, 2013
Filmmaker revisits the children of Fukushima's 'Grey Zone'
Ian Thomas Ash has won acclaim and awards at film festivals around the world for 'A2-B-C,' the second of a pair of documentaries about children living in towns a stone's throw from Fukushima No. 1.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Sep 9, 2013
A friend to kanji learners worldwide
Mary Sisk Noguchi helped readers unravel the complexities of Chinese characters, adding an element of fun to a process often fraught with frustration for many learners of Japanese.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Sep 6, 2013
'Playground of Hope' project builds communities, benefits affected kids
Michael Anop, a longtime Tokyo resident and entrepreneur, says he is "very much a people's person," as demonstrated by a definite talent for connecting with the right individuals to make things happen.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Aug 26, 2013
Returnee livid after ugly treatment at TBC beauty salon in Tokyo
Returnee reader MQ has vowed to give TBC a wide berth after staff made her feel unwelcome and refused to help her enroll at the beauty empire's Yurakucho branch.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Aug 23, 2013
Californian eyes making English studies easier
Visitors to Katie Adler's interactive website, English with Katie, are greeted with Adler's sunny smile, her mellow California accent and a wealth of hints to make using the language both easier and more enjoyable. She aims to help language learners in Japan take charge of their English, building confidence...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Jul 29, 2013
Prove you're Japanese: when being bicultural can be a burden
Japanese are Japanese and foreigners are foreigners, and never the twain shall meet? In many aspects of daily life in this country, there is one way for the Japanese and another for the rest of us. Like it or not, that's just how it is. At least foreigners know where we stand.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Jul 26, 2013
Brit Scoutmaster jogs for health, charity
Running up a mountain probably wouldn't be most people's idea of a pleasant weekend leisure activity, but Brit Colin Yarker thrives on the physical and mental challenge of trail running.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jul 22, 2013
Think before you ink if you work with kids
I am very interested in getting an irezumi (traditional tattoo) in Japan. Are there any artists that will tattoo a foreigner? If so, who and where? My interviewer for the teaching position tried to warn me that tattoos are a 'no-no.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jul 15, 2013
Seeking to return the spoils of war
Lifelines takes a step back in time this week with two questions linked to World War II.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Jun 29, 2013
Multimedia artist finds community in Odawara nurtures her creativity
Sunlight streams in through large windows that look out on a sweeping Pacific Ocean vista. Artworks stand waiting in various stages of creation, while mobiles twist and dance in the sea breeze. This space, known as Atelier Hayakawa, is where Canadian multimedia artist Kirsten Woest comes to dream, to...
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jun 18, 2013
Quickies on bringing in psychotropics and bags, calling Japan, buying shoes
A variety of queries from readers have arrived at Lifelines over the last few weeks, so we'll address some of them in this column.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jun 4, 2013
Hunting for big-foot: Large shoes tough to track down in Tokyo
Buying large shoes in Japan is a bit like trying to find a prime-time TV show that doesn't feature at least one past or present member of AKB48: You know they exist, but it often takes perseverance and a measure of luck to track them down.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Jun 1, 2013
Destroyer of domestic chaos charts way for others to lead organized lives
Jo Ebisujima describes herself as "a hybrid of MacGyver and Martha Stewart."
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
May 18, 2013
Foreign-born professional strives to reconnect Japanese with koto music
Life in Japan just seems tailor-made for certain foreign residents, who slip into the fabric of this society as smoothly as a hand slides into a glove. American Curtis Patterson, a professional koto player and music teacher, is a case in point.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Apr 20, 2013
New Zealand instructor empowered by Pilates
Candace Adachi is one of those people who can turn heads without even trying as she walks by. With a spring in her step and a dazzling smile to match, she radiates self-confidence and well-being, and it comes as no surprise to learn that she is a professional fitness instructor. She says, however, that...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Mar 16, 2013
Fabric artist clothes Tokyo's expat thespians with creativity and magic
Today's younger generation may be more used to getting their entertainment from the Internet or other high-tech sources than from the stage, but nothing can perhaps replace the magic of a live theater performance.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Mar 5, 2013
Juku: an unnecessary evil or vital steppingstone to success?
For the past year, Tokyo sixth-grader Manami has had dinner at home an average of four times a week. The rest of the time she has had to make do with a juku-ben, a boxed dinner prepared by her mother and consumed between classes at juku, or cram school.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Mar 2, 2013
Teacher cultivates more bilingual education opportunities for children
As international marriages rose in Japan in recent years, the number of bicultural families increased, and many children of such families are being raised to speak the languages of both parents. American Mary Nobuoka, director of the Bilingual Special Interest Group (B-SIG) and parent of a bicultural son, devotes much of her time and energy to helping other families in their journey of language and discovery.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 11, 2012
Childbirth in Japan: Plan, prioritize for a smooth delivery
Emotions during pregnancy and childbirth run the gamut, from excitement and trepidation to joy and even fear. Foreign women who find themselves pregnant in Japan may experience additional stress as they cope with cultural differences, language issues and being away from their own families. Add in talk...

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